Borrelli, Rice roll at Soldier Field
Very few high school quarterbacks have the luxury — or the pressure— of making their debuts at Soldier Field.
That was Brother Rice senior Dino Borrelli’s task Sunday at the Kickoff Classic, and he took it in stride, helping the No. 13 Crusaders to a 31- 7 victory againstNo. 3Marist.
‘‘ Dino is a heck of a football player,’’ Brother Rice coach Brian Badke said. ‘‘ He just needs to get some experience with us. Having his first start in this type of setting is pretty intimidating, but he did a great job. He’s a good kid and a leader. I’m really proud of him.”
Borrelli was 9- for- 19 for 155 yards with two touchdown passes and a two- yard scoring run. Illinois recruit Ricky Smalling, one of the top attractions in the Chicago area, grabbed a 56- yard touchdown pass on the Crusaders’ first drive.
‘‘ He’s awesome,’’ Borrelli said of Smalling. ‘‘ Having him definitely made my first start easier.’’
Smalling also hauled in a 39- yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter and finished with five receptions for 107 yards.
‘‘ It’s just amazing,’’ Smalling said. ‘‘ I’ve wanted to play at Soldier Field a long time, and it’s special to come out here and get the win against Marist.’’
Smalling did most of the work on the first touchdown, catching a short pass before breaking a tackle and outrunning the rest of the RedHawks’ secondary. But his second touchdown catch came on a long, perfectly timed pass, highlighting the connection between him and Borrelli.
‘‘ Dino is different,’’ Smalling said. ‘‘ He’s one of my closest friends, so we just have that connection. He’s very open to things. If I say I see something, he’ll trust me and go right to me.’’
The Crusaders’ defense was stout throughout. Senior Aarion Lacy’s interception in the third quarter seemed to take the air out of Marist’s comeback hopes.
‘‘ It was great to get my first interception of the year in an NFL stadium; that was amazing,’’ Lacy said. ‘‘ We came here and wanted to shut them out. We let up one score. Without being disciplined and going hard for the last six months, this wouldn’t have happened.’’
Brother Rice running back Xavion Valladay gained 121 yards on 16 carries and had a spectacular 71- yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Junior Morgan Taylor showed flashes of promise in his first start at quarterback for the RedHawks. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 133 yards, including a 57- yard touchdown to TJ Ivy.
‘‘ Beating our rival in this setting, it’s a great way to start the season,’’ Borrelli said.